What you need to know about child birth and pelvic floor muscles?
With research based on diagnostic Ultrasound, the understanding of the mechanism of childbirth and possible damage to the pelvic floor muscles is now better understood. There are studies from all over the world showing that Forceps triples the risk of pelvic floor muscle tears. Rotational Forceps is particularly bad. Other factors such as a big baby and a long second stage may also make damage more likely, but an Epidural seems to protect the pelvic floor to some degree.
Pelvic floor muscle damage means a higher risk of prolapse of the womb, bladder and back passage. These may manifest as a lump in the vagina that may even stick out, bladder symptoms or problems with the back passage. Research has also found that the risk of pelvic floor muscle trauma rises by about 10% with every year of delay in having your first child. Incidentally, it’s the first baby that matters the most.
We feel that it is important for women to be fully aware of this information and how it will change obstetric practice. For access to the full research article, click here:
Pelvic floor muscle & childbirth research.
At the White Hart Clinic we are happy to answer any questions you may have and how this could affect you.
